Page 20 of The Singer and the Silent Type

Singing along with the radio on the way into town, Alice kept me entertained with her strange attempts at harmonies that had us both in stitches.

When we got to work, I found that scrubbing the tavern floor didn’t drain my frustration, but it impressed Iris, so at least that was something. She came charging in almost late, looking pleasantly surprised.

“You’ve been scrubbing so hard I don’t know which I should be more worried about, missy, the floorboards or your nails.” My fake laugh only made her stare more deeply into my eyes. “What made you so upset?”

Shaking my head, I found there was nothing I could say.

“Alright, then,” she said gently, patting my shoulder. “But I’m always here if you need a shoulder to cry on in the storage room, okay, hon?”

“Thank you,” I said, my throat tight. “Um, how was the cook-off?”

Iris beamed. “One of the younger gals won this year – Jolene King. Just amazing. If she comes in tonight, be sure to give her a free dessert, okay? And also one for the guy who might be her new sweetheart, Rhett.”

“Sure.”

Iris gave me a little hug on the way by. “Hang in there, darlin’.”

It was a great relief that I felt close to my coworkers so quickly. With no family other than my very distant Mother, I had been used to being totally alone in the world for a long time. It was nice to finally feel like I had a home, with people I could count on.

Getting back to work, I scrubbed each table, prepared the wildflowers, and got the room looking nice just in time to see several cars pull in a few minutes before we were supposed to open.

Iris unlocked the door and flipped the sign. “What’s ten minutes between friends?” she shrugged. “Besides, if people were in the sun all afternoon at the rodeo, they’ll be parched.”

Filling the pitcher, I started off the first round of customers with water. It was nice to see everyone so excited about the events this weekend. I’d been feeling sort of guilty living in this town and not knowing very much about life on a real ranch. But I learned so much about ranches, farms, horses, and cattle just by zipping in and out of people’s conversations. It was fascinating. And I admired how hard working these good people were, no matter what was thrown at them.

An hour and a half later, the tavern was nearly full, and I had just served dinner to nearly everyone. Alice was going to run out of spicy cheeseburgers well before the night was through.

Rushing around was making me feel centered again, and shaking the misery out of my body. I didn’t have time to be upset, or pine for some jackass who listened to terrible gossip. I shouldn’t be wasting my energy on a man who said he wanted to take care of me, then took off.

As I sipped my lime water, staring at the empty stool where Cody usually sat, I realized I was becoming more angry than upset. Even though I desperately needed to go out back and have a good cry, I also needed to punch something. I’d never had emotions this huge before, and it was a strange new feeling.

Yet everything turned to love with a side order of lust again as Cody walked in the door. His face lit up when he saw me, as if nothing in the world was wrong.

I needed to jump into his arms. But I also needed to slap him so badly that my hand trembled as I set the water down.

His dazzling smile dissolved as he came closer. “What’s wrong, angel?”

My mouth opened to speak, then I was suddenly gripped with terror that I was going to yell at him, even though I’d never yelled at anyone in my life. Dashing across the room at a record-breaking speed walk, I made it to the ladies’ room before the tears took over.

Chapter Ten

~ Cody ~

My stomach felt as if I’d been punched. People were already going back to their dinners as if nothing was wrong, thank goodness. I was sure that Lorena wouldn’t want anyone staring at her. But it killed me that she was so upset, and obviously because of me.

I decided that the best plan of action was to give her a minute, I sat down, desperately trying to think of what I did wrong. Last night had been the most incredible night of my life. At the time, it certainly seemed like she felt the same way. What could have changed between then and now?

I left for work in the morning, I ran an important urgent errand, and then I came here to see her. That was it.

Iris came over, her hands in fists, parked a little higher than her actual hips. “Cody,” she said in a lower, serious tone, “Did you upset my girl?”

“I guess I did, but I have no idea how,” I said quickly. “Iris, I swear I’d never hurt her on purpose. I must have just…made a mistake somehow. I’ll make it right as soon as she tells me what it is.”

“Get after her, then,” she glared.

Nodding, I slowly walked to the ladies’ room, trying to think of what the hell to say. Tapping at the door, I could hear muffled sobs and angry muttering. “Lorena, I’m coming in.”

“Leave me alone,” she choked.

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